How do Survivors receive health care?
TRICARE continues to provide coverage for family members when a sponsor dies. Family member health plan options and costs will vary based on:
- The sponsor's military status when he/she dies
- If the surviving family member is a spouse or child
Who is eligible for coverage?
The scenarios below provide an overview of survivor coverage. Spouses remain eligible unless they remarry.
- Survivors of Active Duty Service Members
- Survivors of National Guard/Reserve Members
- Survivors of Retired Service Members
- Surviving Children who may qualify for TRICARE Young Adult
When does coverage change?
After three years the coverage for surviving spouses changes to that of a retired family member. The change is reflected automatically in DEERS and surviving spouses receive a letter from DEERS before the survivor status changes. This status change causes changes in health care options and out-of-pocket costs.
Coverage for children doesn't change—they are covered as "active duty family members" until they age out of TRICARE or lose eligibility for other reasons.
For more information please see the TRICARE Plans and Eligibility page.
(Current as of 13 January 2021)